WILLIAM Hague used a village post office in his constituency yesterday to launch an attack on the Government's record on rural crime.

The Tory leader visited the shop at Skeeby, near Richmond, North Yorkshire - which was targeted for an armed raid and a break-in last year.

After a conversation with sub-postmistress Jennifer Hardy, he suggested her story epitomised the plight of rural communities.

"There is no doubt that the increase in rural crime rates is a direct consequence of there being insufficient rural police officers," said Mr Hague.

"Police numbers have been consistently cut by Jack Straw, and villages, farms and rural post offices in particular have become targets for criminals.

"The village post office is often the heart of any village, and the task of running one is difficult enough.

"But most are being put under intolerable pressure as criminals are given free rein over the countryside."

Mrs Hardy said that being targeted twice had taken much of the enjoyment out of life at the village shop.

Despite Mr Hague's claims, North Yorkshire Police said yesterday that crime figures for the county had shown a downward trend over the past 18 months.

There were 1,755 fewer offences recorded in the county last year than the year before. Figures for the six months ending in October also indicated the fall had continued.

A spokesman said police manpower had increased to 1,304 in November last year, compared with 1,283 in March.